Earth working machine



M. C. WILLS ET AL EARTH WORKING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Filed May 1. 1953 M ,4 TTORNE y Aug. 28, 1934. M C, w s ET AL 1,971,698

EARTH WORKING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a l I Patented Aug. 28, 1934 EARTH woaxmc MACHINE MarionC. Wills, Kansas Clty, Mo., and Albert R. Henry, Salina, Kane.

Application May 1, 1933, Serial No. 668,737

" 11 Claims.

Our invention relates to improvements in earth working machines. It is particularly well adapted for use in grading machines for liftingand holding elevated or for depressing the moldboard of the grading machine, but may be advantageously utilized for adjusting other earth working implements of grading or other machines or apparatus.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide a novel mechanism of the kind described, which is simple, cheap, strong, durable, not likely to get out of order, which has a minimum of parts, which is easily and quickly operated, which is eilicient in its operation, and which is adapted for application to machines now in use.

A further object of our invention is to provide in a grading machine having a frame anda vertically movable moldboard, of novel mechanism including a fluid actuated piston oscillative in a 20 .casing immovably fastened to the frame and means actuated by the piston by which the moldboard may be forced upwardly or'downwardly or retained in an elevated position, and which eliminates flexible pipe connections with the casing for conveying thereto the actuating fluid, and which avoids pivotally supporting the casing in which the piston is oscillative.

The novel features of our invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate our invention,

Fig. 1 is a reduced side elevation of a portion of a grading machine provided with our improvement.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in longitudinal 'vertical section and partly in elevation of one of the casings and oscillative piston therein.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

t Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged rear elevation of the lower universal joint connection with thedrawbar.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing one of the casings and its pipe connections with the pump and tank.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical section through the relief valve. V

Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view, partly broken away, of what is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation, partly broken away,

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one of the oscillatory pistons.

Fig. 14' is an enlarged cross section, partly broken away, of one of the controlling valves.

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts in the different views.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 8, 10, and 11, 1 designates the frame of a grading machine; 2 the front axle centrally pivoted to the frame 1;

3 a draw bar pivoted by a universal joint 4 to p the forward part of the frame 1; and 4 a moldboard or scraper attached to the arms 5 of a U shaped member 6 having a transverse portion 7 connecting the arms 5 and having secured to it a spur gear 8. A threaded stud 9 fastened to the portion 7 and extending centrally upwardly through the gear 8, also extends through a transverse portion 10 of the draw bar 3.

A pair of lock nuts 11 are mounted on the upper end of the threaded stud 9, the lower nut contact ing with the upper side of the portion 10 of the drawbar 3.

Apparatus for oscillating the moldboard on the vertical axis comprises the stud 9, and a pinion l2 meshing with the gear 8 and fastened to the lower 30 end of a vertical shaft 13, extending through I the portion 10 and manually oscillated on a vertical axis by any suitable means, not shown.

The rear end of the frame 1 is supported on the rearaxle 14 carried by the usual rear carrying wheels 15. A platform 16, upon which the operator of the machine stands, is carried by the rear portion of the frame 1. The usual carrying wheels 1'7 support the laterally oscillative front axle '2.

The foregoing description relates to the usual parts of a well known type of grading machine which is provided with means, not shown, by which the drawbar 3 may be oscillated at its'rear end in a horizontal plane.

This invention relates to mechanism by which the drawbar 3 may be, together with the moldboard 4, raised, forced downwardly or held in such position to which it may be adjusted by said mechanism, which comprises the following de- 10o scribed parts.

'Two casings 18 are immovably fastened upon the frame 1 at opposite sides respectively thereof above the moldboard 4, when the latter is disposed transversely, as shown, and above opposite end portions respectively of a horizontal transverse bar 19' which forms the rear end of the drawbar 3, Figs. 1, 10 and 11.

Each casing 18, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 an d 12, is provided with a substantially semicircular chamway in the shaft 21, Fig. 3.

As shown, the irmer end of the piston head is rounded and has bearing against it a sealing plate 23 disposed parallel with the shaft 21 and held against the head 20 by an arcuate spring 24 I which also bears against the base plate 25 of the casing 18, which base is provided with a groove 26 in which said plate 23 and said spring 24 are disposed. For sealing the side edges and outer end of the piston head 20 it is provided with an inverted U shaped groove 27 which extends along the edges and across the end of the head, said groove 27 having slidably fitted in it an inverted U shaped sealing member 28, the transverse part of which bears against the periphery of the chamber 19, and the arms 29 of the U shaped member being resilient, and bearing at their outer sides against the side walls respectively of the casing 18, which walls hold the arms 29 under compression. The arms 29 extend at their inner ends into the keyway in the shaft 21 at opposite ends respectively of the key 22, Fig. 3.

A bow spring 30 in the transverse part of the groove 27 bears against the piston head 20 and against the inner side of the transverse part of the U shaped sealing member 28 and normally forces the latter outwardly against the periphery of the chamber 19 of the casing 18.

Each shaft 21 is provided at its outer end with a crank 31. The outer ends of the cranks 31 are respectively connected by universal joints 32 with the upper ends of two links 33, the lower ends of which are provided respectively with universal joint connections 34 with the rear bar 19' of the draw bar 3, such connections being positioned at opposite sides respectively of the longitudinal axis of the drawbar 3, whereby the drawbar may be oscillated on such axis to vertically adjust either end of the moldboard the other end thereof.

Each casing 18 at opposite sides respectively of the range of movement of the piston head 20 therein is provided with two ports 35 and 36, whereby fluid may be alternately admitted into and expelled from the casing at each side of the piston head for oscillating the latter.

For supplying the casings 18 with fluid under pressure through the ports 35 and 36, the following described apparatus is provided.

37 designates a tank adapted to contain a liquid, such as oil, and mounted on the frame 1 in any suitable place, as above the platform 16. A'liquid conductor 38 communicates with the tank 37 below the level of the oil in the tank, and with the inlet of a rotary pump 39, mounted on the frame 1 and provided with a rotary operating shaft 40 on which is fastened a pulley 41. A belt 42 operatively mounted on the pulley 41 engages a pulley 43 fastened to the crank shaft 44 of a suitable motor, such as the gasoline engine 45.

A liquid conductor 46 communicates with the outlet of the pump 39 and with a liquid conductor 47 the ends of which respectively communicate with two ports 48 respectively provided in two 4 independently of valve casings 49, in which are respectively fitted two oscillatory valves 50, each provided with two arcuate passages 51, Figs. 1, 7, 10, 11 and 14. Each valve 50 is provided with a central shaft 52 having a manually operable crank 53.

Each valve casing 49 is provided diametrically opposite to the port 48 with a port 54, Figs. 7 and 14, with which communicates a liquid conductor 55 which communicates with the tank 37. Midway between the ports 48 and 54, each casing 49 is provided with two diametrically opposite ports 56 and 57.

Two liquid conductors 58 respectively communicate with the ports 36 of the casings 18 and with the ports 56 of the valve casings 49.

Two liquid conductors 59 respectively communicate with the ports 35 of the casings 18 and with the ports 57 of the valve casings 49.

When either of the valves 50 is in the position shown in Fig. 14 one of the passages 51 in the valve will register with the ports 48 and 56 of the casings 49, and the other passage 51 of the valve 50 will register with the ports 54 and 57.

If, in this position of the valves 49, the pump 39 is operated, oil will pass from the tank 37 through the conductor 38, pump 39, conductor 46,

conductor 47, through the adjacent passages 51, and conductors 58 into the casings 18 through the ports 36.

The pressure of the oil in the casings 18 below the piston heads 20, which will be in the position shown in Fig. 12, will force said piston heads counterclockwise toward the position shown in Fig. 2, thus, through the intermediacy" of the shafts 21, cranks 31 and links 33 lifting the rear end of the draw bar 3 and with it the moldboard 4, as to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11.

The oil in the casings 18 at the left of the pistons 20, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 12, will pass through the ports 35, conductors 59, adjacent passages 51 and conductors 55 into the tank 37.

By turning the cranks 53, the valves 50 may be turned so that the passages 51 will be out of register with the portsin the valve casings 49, upon which the oil in the casings 18 will hold the piston heads 20 therein in the positions to which they have been moved.

To lower the moldboard 4, or to force it downwardly into the earth, the cranks 53 of the valves 50 are turned so that the passages 51 will assume the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14, one passage 51 then registering with the ports 54 and 56, and the other passage 51 registering with the ports 48 and 57.

With this position of the valves 50, the oil will pass from the pump 39 through the conductors 46 and 47, adjacent passages 51 of the valves' 50, and through the conductors 59 into the casings 18 through the ports 35, upon which the oil 3 pressure against the left sides of the piston heads 20 will force the latter clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2 to the initial position, shown in Fig. 12. v The cranks 31 and links 33 will force the rear end of the drawbar 3 downwardly and with it the moldboard.

The oil at the right of the piston heads 20 will pass out of the casings 18 through the ports 36, conductors 58, ports 51 in register therewith and conductors 55 to the tank 37.

When the valves 51 are in the nonregistering of passage 61 communicating with a conductor 63 which communicates .with the con-.

mally holding the latter seated. By adjusting the screw plug 67 the tension of thespring 69 may be varied.

when the pressure in the conductors 4B and 60 rises to a predetermined amount the valve 64 opens and permits the oil to pass from the discharge conductor 46 of the pump 39 to the intake conductor 38 through the passage 81 and conductor 63.

With the employment of the pistons 20 plv-f oted in the casings 18 and having their cranks 31 connected by links 33 with the drawbar 3, a structure is afforded comprising a minimum of parts, which is staunch, not likely to get out of order, cheap, easy to repair and eilicient.

With the employment of this construction, the casings 18 can be immovably fastened to the frame 1, thereby avoiding the use of flexible hose connections with their attendant disadvantages.

By using two'casings 18 disposed at opposite sides respectively of the longitudinal axis of the drawbar 3, and by having the control valves independently operative, either piston head 20 maybe oscillated independently of the other, thus enabling the drawbar 3 being. positioned thereby so that the moldboard 4 may slant to the right or left at different desired angles, as well as being adjusted vertically or held in an adiusted position while horizontally disposed.

Our invention may be modified in many ways, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from its spirit.

What we claimis:----

1. In an earth working machine, the combination with an earth working member and a traveling support therefor, of acasing immovable on and rigidly fastened to said support, a piston oscillative in said casing, means for forcing fluid into said casing at one side of said piston for forcing the latter in one direction, and means actuated by said piston when moved in said direction for forcing said member in one direction.

2. In an earth working machine, the combination with a vertically movable earth working member and a traveling supporttherefor, of a casing immovable on and rigidly fastened to said support, a piston oscillative in said casing, means for forcing fluid into said casing at one side of said piston for forcing the latter in one direction, and means actuated by said piston when moved in said direction for vertically moving said mem-- ber.

3. In an earth working machine, the combination with an earth working member and a traveling support therefor, of a casing immovable on and rigidly fastened to said support, a piston oscillative in said casing, means actuated by said piston when moved in one direction for moving said member, and liquid conducting means, including a, pump and non-flexible piping connecting said pump with said casing at one side of said piston, for forcing liquid through said be forced into either rated by said links when said pistons are so forced 3 oonductingmeans into said casing for moving said piston in said direction.

4. In a grading machine, the combination with a traveling frame, and a vertically movable moldboardv adapted for travel with said frame, of a & casing carried by immovable on and rigidly fastened to said frame, a pistonoscillative in said casing, means including a pump and non-flexible piping rigidly connectingfsaid pump with said casing at one side of said piston for forcingfluid' into said casing for moving said piston in one direction, and means actuated by said piston when moved in said direction for vertically moving said'moldboard. 4 a

5. In a grading machine, the combination with a traveling frame, and a vertically movable moldboard adapted for travel with said frame, of a casing carried by immovable on and rigidly fastened tosaid frame, a piston oscillative in said, casing, means including a pump and non-flexible 96 piping rigidly connecting said pump and said casing for forcing fluid alternately into said casing at opposite sides of said piston for oscillating the latter, and means actuated by said piston when oscillated for vertically oscillating said 100 moldboard. I

6.-In a grading machine, the combination with a traveling frame, and a vertically movable moldboard adapted for travel with said frame, of a casing carried by immovable on and rigidly fastened to said frame, a piston oscillative in said casing and having a shaft pivoted in said casing and having a crank, means for forcing fluid into said casing at one side of said piston for moving the latter in one direction, a link pivoted to said crank, and means actuated by said link for vertically moving said moldboard when said piston moves in said direction.

7. In a grading machine, the combination with a traveling frame, and a vertically movable mold- 1 5 board adapted for travel with immovable on and rigidly fastened to said frame, of two casings carried by said frame, two pistons respectively oscillative in said casings, means including a pump and non-flexible said pump and said casings for forcing fluid into each of said casings at one side of the piston therein for forcing the piston in one direction, and provided with means by which the fluid may casing independently of the other, and means actuated by said piston respectively for vertically moving opposite ends of said moldboard.

8. In a grading machine, the combination with a traveling frame, and a vertically movable moldboard adapted for travel with said frame, of two casings carried by immovable on and rigidly fastened to said frame, two pistons respectively pivoted so as to oscillate in said casings and having each a shaft movable therewith and having a crank, two links respectively pivoted to said cranks, means for forcing fluid into each of said casings at one side of the piston therein for forcing the piston in one direction, and means actufor respectively vertically moving opposite ends of said moldboard.

9. In a grading machine, the combination with a traveling frame and a moldboard adapted for travel with said frame, of a casing immovable 14,5 on and rigidly fastened to said frame, a piston pivoted so as to oscillate in said casing, means for forcing fluid into said casing at one side of said piston for moving the latter in one direction, and means connecting said piston with said moldpiping rigidly oonnecting' afl'.

board by which the latter is vertically moved when said piston is moved in said direction.

10. In a grading machine, the combination with a traveling frame and a moldboard adapted for a traveling'frame and a moldboard adapted for vertical movement and for travel with said frame, of a casing immovable on and rigidly fastened to said frame, a piston pivoted so as to oscillate in said casing and having a crank, a link pivoted to said crank, means for forcing fluid into said casing at one side of said piston for moving the latter in one direction, and means connecting said link with said moldboardgfor vertically moving the moldboard when said piston is moved in said direction.

MARION C. WILLS.

ALBERT R. HENRY. 

